Sunday, March 01, 2015

Akshayakalpa - A brief introduction

Akshayakalpa- Promising an organic future

Akshayakalpa is a first of its kind and unique private sector initiative to incubate rural-entrepreneurship based business models in Indian agriculture landscape. Akshayakalpa vision is to elevate Indian agricultural production practices from existing subsistence to enterprise level, there by generating attractive livelihoods opportunities for rural youth.

The key elements of an efficient enterprise - adequate capital, optimal technology and best management practices and market orientation are being integrated into rural agriculture based enterprises. Towards this Akshayakalpa is working closely with village youth and farmers to setup profitable and sustainable rural enterprises as a first step towards creating wealth in our villages.

Akshayakalpa is also setting up procurement and processing industries in villages for value addition to agricultural commodity at the source of production and hence derive right value for the produce, meantime create substantial employment opportunities. This is aimed at avoiding distress sale of agriculture produce season after season. Akshayakalpa is actively exploring strategic new market segments and innovative strategies to market the value added agricultural produce.

Akshayakalpa is driving hub and spoke model for production, procurement, processing and marketing of agricultural commodities, where decentralized production systems owned and operated by farmers and centralized processing, marketing and services centers managed by Akshayakalpa shall drive the transformation of Indian rural landscape. With this villages will emerge as economically independent and vibrant communities.

Organic Food: Gaining significance world wide

Discerning people across the world have realised the benefits of going organic. Organic food sector is growing owing to the increased awareness and responsive markets. Indian organic agriculture movement is growing and attracting enlightened farmers to take up organic cultivation. In this context, Akshayakalpa have poised itself to lead the way with first of its kind organic milk production and processing facility of substantial scale in Indian dairy sector.

Building Organic Infrastructure

As a first step towards grounding rural-entrepreneurship based business models, Akshayakalpa have launched a movement to setup integrated organic dairy clusters to promote dairy enterprises in villages. The infrastructure comprises of:

•300 satellite farms with 25 cows each within 30 KM radius of the processing plant near Tiptur.

•The farmers will be provided with end to services like agriculture extension, veterinary, bank linkages, insurance and marketing.

•Milk will be chilled at the farm immediately after milking, thereby reducing the chances of bacterial growth in the milk.

•Cold chain shall be maintained in all milk handling cycles - production, procurement, processing and distribution and delivery till consumers door step for the first time in the country.

Milk from Akshayakalpa: Time to make the change

Take a closer look at your glass of milk

It is common knowledge that there is regular use of steroids, female hormones, antibiotics in cow treatment and cows are fed with urea along with concentrate feeds. Unsanitary and unscientific cow housing being the order of the day, and the cows are tied and are forced to lie on their own fecal matter causing mastitis, hoof infections, diarrhea and umbilical infections of calves and host of other management deceases. Impact of such stressful conditions will be very obvious on the quality of milk. This coupled with unhygienic milk handling and lack of chilling facilities at farm level compound the problem. As a consumer is that what you want in your glass of milk?

Every dairy farm is designed to provide essentials comfort factors like protection, plenty of air and ventilation. Cows are not tied and can either rest under the shade of trees in the paddock areas or on mattresses provided in the specially designed cow sheds. Cows have easy access to green fodder based and diets and water all through the day. Green fodder is specially grown under organic production protocols.

Every cow is monitored electronically for its health status, movement and milk production, 24 hours a day. Based on such monitoring and supervision and appropriate treatment measures are initiated if need be.

Veterinary protocol ensures that first treatment approach is to use Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medicines. If antibiotics are used in rare cases (to save life) the animal under treatment will be quarantined for a prescribed number of days. Use of any hormones is strictly prohibited.

Mandatory protocol on clean and stress free housing, fodder based diets and veterinary practices ensure milk produced is antibiotic and hormone free. In addition milk will be rich in anti-oxidants and anti aging factors such as omega-3 fatty acids (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) making it the Healthier Milk from happier cows!.

Technology innovation at the grass root level: Key differentiator

Akshayakalpa have brought in series of innovations in to organic milk production systems. The cow sheds are designed for maximum cow comfort and hygiene. Loose housing system with 24/7 access to food and water is adopted. Only green fodder based diets are used for the first time in commercial dairy production in the country. Special fodder production and preservation protocols are devised to ensure green fodder availability all through the year. Innovative and state-of-the-art technologies for automation of dairy farms are employed. This ensures that Akshayakalpa organic milk retains most of the milk proteins and stands out in all quality parameters.

Bringing the organic lifestyle to you

•Bangalore, the ever evolving city, will be the first one to cherish Organic Milk and Milk products from Akshayakalpa fostered rural enterprises.

•Akshayakalpa’s current focus is to make every glass of milk, organic and hygienic. Initially the Akshayakalpa organic milk will be available in standard milk pouches. Meantime plans are in place to use tetra pack technology for milk packing for increased convenience for our consumers

Organic Milk and Milk Products

•Cow Milk, Curds, Skim Milk, Ghee, Paneer, Khova, Butter.

Akshayakalpa organic milk and milk products are available throughout Bangalore through home delivery channel. Contact us at: info@akshayakalpa.org; +91 9535388122.

People behind this unique Organic Initiative

Akshayakalpa is headed by Dr. G.N.S. Reddy who has co-partnered with other illustrious members from various fields ranging from Agriculture, Veterinary, Information Technology, Engineering, Dairy and Marketing specialists.

6 comments:

Hi, I came to know of your blog thru Mr Shashi Kumar's link on his account. And I really am amazed at this initiative of Dr Reddy and team at Akshayakalpa. I too believe that this is only way forward to bring about change in the flawed growth story that has come to epitomise India..We need a revolution in Agriculture and thereon to change the scenario in India's villages to really make this an equitable and just growth story. I am myself a retail professional who is looking to get into sustainable integrated farming of my own soon. I would really like to of help in any way possible to Akshayakalpa. Please let me know on how to take this forward. great going. best of luck...gaurav

I am interested to know which breeds of cows you procure your milk from? Are they desi cows or the imported varieties like Jersey & holstein friesian etc. Specifically, I am interested in getting the A2 milk as against the A1..............

Its very Good initiative and great thought by Mr.Dr.Reddy. it is of badly needed product in Place like bangalore..Their is Humangus Apportunity and Growth in Bangalore.You people can do Miracle.. I wish all the best..

Home Delivery of Akshayakalpa Organic Milk

About Akshayakalpa:

Akshayakalpa is a first of its kind and a unique private sector initiative to incubate rural-entrepreneurship based business models in Indian agriculture landscape. Our vision is to elevate Indian agricultural production practices from existing subsistence to enterprise level, there by generating attractive livelihoods opportunities for rural youth.